Increase Outreach to Families to Maintain Childhood Immunizations

The data is clear: childhood immunization rates have
plummeted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated stay-at-home orders. With
the uncertainty of the pandemic’s timing, health care providers must take
action to maintain vaccinations among patient populations that are wary of
leaving their homes. The CDC’s
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) released May 8, states the
urgency of the situation:

Reminding parents of the vital need
to protect their children against serious vaccine-preventable diseases, even as
the COVID-19 pandemic continues, is critical. As social distancing requirements
are relaxed, children who are not protected by vaccines will be more vulnerable
to diseases such as measles. In response, continued coordinated efforts between
health care providers and public health officials at the local, state, and
federal levels will be necessary to achieve rapid catch-up vaccination.

Last week, we examined the current vaccination data. The situation is dire, however there is some good news. Examining the VSD doses administered shows an uptick in vaccine administration to children aged ≤24 months beginning in late March. This increase might reflect the success of strategies to promote childhood vaccinations in the context of the pandemic.

Below are strategies that have shown early success. These
include practice management resources, talking points, and social media images
to share.

Practice Management and Resources for Providers

By now, providers are well aware of the guidelines for
continuing to see patients for well visits. The CDC recommends

Scheduling sick visits and well-child care
visits during different times of the day

Reducing crowding in waiting rooms, by asking
patients to remain outside (e.g., stay in their vehicles, if applicable) until
they are called into the facility for their appointment, or setting up triage
booths to screen patients safely

Collaborating with healthcare providers in the
community to identify separate locations for providing well visits for
children.

The CDC’s
page on caring for children during the COVID-19 pandemic includes up to
date information on maintaining childhood immunizations. The IAC has an “Ask
the Experts” page titled “COVID-19 and
Routine Vaccination.”

Talking Points

Vaccinate Your Family has put together two helpful guides
for providers. The first, “Call,
Don’t Cancel: Talking to People about Vaccinations during the COVID-19 Pandemic,”
contains talking points for providers to use in communications to families.
These include sections on new practice policies, setting reminders to follow-up
on missed immunizations, links to help uninsured children, and information on
why vaccines are still critical during this time.

The second resource from Vaccinate Your Family is designed
for vaccine advocates. “Raising
Vaccination Rates During a Pandemic” has steps and resources for advocates
to use that may encourage people to reach out to their providers and receive
routine vaccinations. These include:

Work with local medical professional societies
to help spread the word.

Submit opinion pieces and letters to the editor
to your local papers.

Consider how your community receives
information.

Social Media/Images to Share

An excellent strategy to encourage vaccination during the pandemic is by communicating with families via social media or email. Many of the talking points in the “Call, Don’t Cancel” resource can be posted in a social media message or including in email or website content. The CDC has created a social media image with an important message for providers to share.

The CDC also recommends directing families to

In addition, the CDC has created sample text to share via
social media with links to their easy
to read schedule: